adulterers (3:16) and blasphemers (1:6). They refuse to know God in spite of historical and natural phenomena which clearly reveal God's identity and intention (16:16). Such people, when parents, are capable of murdering their own children even while practicing their perverse religion which, of course, sponsors the atrocities (12:5-6). Immoral people like these are ungrateful to the God whose very word preserves those who believe (16:26-29). In comparison with these morally and religiously bankrupt people a barren, yet undefiled, woman or a eunuch are blessed (3:13-14). The destiny of childlessness with virtue is preferred to that of an unrighteous generation (3:19-4:1).

The second understanding of the ungodly is closely related to their moral and religious outrage. They are in active opposition to the righteous.286 Indeed, they oppress them (5:1). These righteous are none other than God's "elect" (eklektoi),287 the Jews, a "hallowed people and